The Spirit and the Word - A Treatise on the Holy Spirit in the Light of a Rational - Interpretation of the Word of Truth by Zachary Taylor Sweeney
page 82 of 98 (83%)
page 82 of 98 (83%)
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men of being the murderer? What would you think of a jury that would
render such a verdict? "Well," says one, "what of the great numbers who pray for a 'Pentecostal revival'? Are they all wrong?" Not wrong in what they _want_, but wrong in _what they call it_. All that those people desire, is to be filled with a _genuine revival of religious enthusiasm_. Their mistake is in calling it a "Pentecostal shower." A Pentecostal shower would lead every preacher under its influence to say, with the apostle Peter, to inquiring sinners: "_Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins_." This is what they are careful _not to say_. It is a clear evidence that the Spirit which guided Peter is not guiding them. I assert it to be a fact that everything that is claimed to be effected by a personal indwelling of the Spirit is as clearly accomplished by the Spirit acting through the word of God. I do not wish to rest content with asserting that statement, but I wish to prove it. What are the things that might be accomplished by a direct personal indwelling of the Spirit in us? 1. He might give us faith. But through the Word he does that. "So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the _word of Christ_" (Rom. 10:17). 2. He might enable us to enjoy a new birth. But through the Word he does that. "Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the _word of God_, which |
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